I find it extremely ridiculous and stupid that those fans from Detroit would boo the Canadian national anthem given the fact that their very own Red Wing team is composed mostly of Canadians, which includes their best player, Steve Yzerman. (BTW, just to clarify, I don't think all Americans are "ridiculous and stupid". Some, not all. )

Well, just checked it out: 16 of the Wings 30 players are Canadian (so "most" just by a hair). Some of the best Canadian players are:

Steve Yzerman
Luc Robitaille
Brendan Shanahan
Steve Duchesne

There's also an ex-Canadian who was born in Belleville, Ontario named Brett Hull.

As for the game tonight, yeah, it was quite horrible, indeed. The Canucks totally unravelled. They've lost ALL confidence, from the goaltender on out. Cloutier was horrible, as was just about everyone else.

I think the Canucks will be desperate next game, and just might steal a win, but I'm seriously doubting -- for the first time -- that they'll win both games. My guess is Wings in 7. It's not that this fan is folding. I'm just being realistic. The Canucks gave a valient effort up to, and not including, this game. They've pretty much proved that they're one of the best teams in the league, competing, if not outplaying, the Wings up to (and once again, not including) tonight's game. They had the best record in since Christmas, and they've set some big expectations for themselves for next year. If they don't dominate next year, they are clearly a bunch of slackers. Just my opinion, of course.

I suspect, however, that they are, as Naslund recently said, "destined for greatness". They remind me of a very young Edmonton Oilers team from the early 80s, before they won all those cups, minus Gretzky of course. Naslund is a Kurri type. Bertuzzi is a Messier type. Morrison maybe an Anderson, and Jovonaski a lessor version of Paul Coffey. Cloutier has huge potential too. They are all very young, and this will teach them a great deal. Watch out for this team in the not so distant future.

Not that I'm writing them off already!

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The Tempest

[This message has been edited by Michael Griffiths (edited 04-25-2002).]

I'm impressed that Detroit won the last two games after going down 0-2. I might be wrong, but I can't remember Detroit winning a playoff series in the last few years after losing the *first* game.

I am forced to retract this claim.

In 1997, Patrick Roy stole game 1 from the Wings (35 shots, 1 goal allowed), but Detroit took the series 4-2.

I'm certain Detroit hasn't won a series after going down 0-2 in the last 15 years, though. Actually, that might not be true either...I remember Detroit being down 3-1 to the Minnesota North Stars in 1992 (?) and winning 4-3, so they might have been down 0-2 in that one.

Originally posted by Angel:Btw--&gt; I don't think I have ever watched a more rough series. These two teams *really* seem to hate eachother. lol Makes it quite entertaining to watch.

It's been a fairly rough series, though yesterday's game was pretty tame. I think the roughest I've seen is from the heydays of the Detroit/Colorado rivalry during the mid to late 90's. Those were the days when Roy and Osgood fought and Claude Lemieux was up to his usual dirty antics for Colorado.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look good for the Canucks. It seems that after the Lidstrom 90 footer, that Cloutier hasn't been the same. That goal, in my opinion, is the turning point in the series. Hopefully the beating the Canucks took last night will wake them up and they can force a Game 7.

Originally posted by The Blunt Edge: ...Hopefully the beating the Canucks took last night will wake them up and they can force a Game 7.

Yes I agree. Of course I want the Canuck's to win the series, but realistically? Well... I haven't given up and they certainly shouldn't give up without a fight. Unfortunately last nights poor attempt at hockey portrayed a team that appears to have given up.
Everyone keeps talking about Hasek and how he has won the games for Detroit. I would have to severely disagree with that point, because the last two games I watched... Vancouver has not even challenged him. Last night they mustered up what? 1-2 decent attempts at a shot on goal in the 3rd and they managed to screw those up too. I watched that entire game just hoping that they'd get at least one goal to prevent a shutout, but well... Here's to hoping.
I don't mean to knock the Canuck's so bad, but I just find it really frustrating because they are such a damn fine hockey club and have to potential to kick some royal ass and they just aren't meeting their ability at all.

I laughed so hard at the commentators remarks last night. They were saying how the Canuck's should give Yzerman a good check and see just how healed up his knee really is So harsh! I love it, but even so.... one player does not make a team. Detroit is solid, and just simply watching them play is amazing. I just wish I didn't have to watch them play against Vancouver.

Who knows... the impossible has happened before. Anyone remember the Canuck's vs. the Avalanche in 1994? It ain't over till its over.

I like what our boys did tonight, actually. They certainly didn't roll over. It's really too bad Cloutier choked, but it wasn't just his fault. The Canucks are (were) the youngest team in the playoffs, and it really showed against the extremely experienced Wings.

I think things bode well for next season, though. If they get someone like Kariya in the off season, they'll be a cup contender. Even if they don't get him, they'll still be one of the best teams in the league.

I really liked how relentless they were in the 3rd period. It was as though they actually believed they could come back, and they made a believer out of me that 3rd period, as well. Great effort.

See you next season, boys.

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The Tempest

[This message has been edited by Michael Griffiths (edited 04-27-2002).]

I'd have more to say if I wasn't just casually watching the playoffs, but Vancouver scared the crap out of some of us this round. I just hope that whatever happened yesterday, the Wings can carry it off in the next round.

I talked with Brendan Morrison today (as he and the Canucks come into my workplace a lot). He looked quite morrose, almost sad. I thanked him for playing "such exciting hockey," and offered my opinion that they'd be awesome next year. He is such a class guy, and thanked me, and said they'd be ready for Detroit next year. It's great to follow a team of faces that you see all the time; they're not just players. You just kind of root for them that much more.

Next year, they'll surprise a few people, and I disagree with Wanderer, as I think they'll be more than just another "good" team. They had the best offence is the NHL this year, and had one of the best defenses. They were the best team since Christmas, if there record counts for anything. Not only that, they were the *youngest* team in the playoffs. Imagine the possibilities...